Wanderlust » Vacation

Helpful Background Regarding Gay Travel To New York

Wander — Wed, 12 May 2010 21:03:26 +0000

New York City is a popular destination for gay tourists from around the world. It is the largest of all the cities in the US and justifiably has a culture and atmosphere that cannot be compared. The gay scene has a history going back as far as the end of the nineteenth century. Today gay travel to New York is based in Manhattan, though there are other areas that are becoming more popular every year. It is often said that Manhattan has the best nightlife, restaurants, theatres, and shopping.

New York City is a great destination to visit at any time of year, but it sees the largest number of tourists during the hot summer months when millions of gay vacation fans descend. If you want to explore the city when the crowds are less, then fall can be a great time to come. The winter season holds a charm all of its own, even though it can get very cold and even snow. Many memories have been made through sitting in a warm restaurant or bar when it is freezing outside. Of course Christmas is also a perfect time to get a feel for the city.

The gay and lesbian festivals and events can be found throughout the year. New Year’s celebrations are unmatched anywhere. During spring there are the NewFest and Tribecca film festivals that attract many gay visitors. New York City’s main Gay Pride event occurs in late June with smaller versions held earlier in the month in Queens and Brooklyn. Halloween is also a popular time to camp it up.

As with any place it pays to have a little understanding of the layout before arriving. New York City is composed of 5 boroughs. Manhattan is an island wedged in-between the Hudson River and the East River. Not far away from here are the districts of Brooklyn and Queens on the western edge of Long Island.

There is an excellent mass transit system that is affordable and easy to navigate. There isn’t really any need to bring your own transport, and besides, the traffic can be uncomfortably heavy to drive through and the parking costs are expensive.

There are many rail services as well as buses that can bring you here from all the major East Coast cities. If you choose to fly in, then you will land at one of three airports – JFK, Newark, and La Guardia, of which La Guardia is perhaps the most convenient as it is the nearest to Manhattan.

Holidays- Dont Use Your Mobile

Wander — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:54:29 +0000

about taking your mobile phone with you? The first thing I would say is don’t even bother and the second is that if you are then make sure you have mobile phone insurance.

Reasons

One of the main reasons that you should not be taking your mobile phone with you is because it just gets in the way of everything and does not need to be with you. Trust me on this one, if you have your mobile phone with you then you are twice as likely to want to contact the people back at home because you miss them. The thing is it is still going to be there when you get back so if you are really that desperate to use a phone just use a pay phone. This is something that is a lot cheaper than using your mobile to make the call.

Another reason why you really should not be using the phone is the roaming charges you can get from the net. This is especially true if you have a phone like the iPhone as there was someone that clicked the net by mistake and got charged for a massive 00 dollars.

Although you could get gadget insurance for breakages abroad it will not cover you from the mistakes you can make from all of the browsing that can be done. If you are thinking about texting then expect a large sum of money to be taken each time you ty.

Taking the phone with you is simply not worth all of the hassle which is why it is important not to take it. If you are going on holiday then make sure you look into car hire insurance because at least then if something happens you are certainly covered.

Australia’s most idyllic destination – Tamborine Mountain

Wander — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:06:04 +0000

Located approximately 60 kilometres south of Queensland’s capital city of Brisbane, Tamborine Mountain is a volcanic plateau set within Australia’s Gold Coast hinterland.

An outpouring of lava from nearby Mount Warning many millenia ago created Tamborine Mountain’s lush and forested plateau which is approximately 8 km long by 5 km wide and now sits 600 metres above sea level.

The many attractions of Mount Tamborine and its charming villages include craft and antique shops, cafes and restaurants and numerous galleries which attract thousands of tourists every season.

This area is also known for its award-winning wineries with several offering tours, free tastings and affordable meals in beautiful surroundings. If you enjoy walking, nine National Parks within the Tamborine Mountain region await you. Shady walking tracks lead through stunning subtropical rainforest and past breathtaking waterfalls, natural swimming holes and rock pools. Sun dappled picnic, BBQ and rest areas pepper the way and spectacular lookouts offer stunning views towards the ocean as well as to the West over the hinterland.

The Rainforest Discovery Skywalk is one of the latest Tamborine Mountain attractions and was completed in early 2009. Set on 30-acres of awe-inspiring rainforest and alongside a tumbling creek, the Skywalk consists of an eco walking trail that leads to a 40m-long platform set 30m above the rainforest canopy. A short drive away, another popular attraction are the Glow-worm Caves that offer guided underground sightseeing tours through two spectacular man made caves filled with thousands of glow worms.

The rich volcanic soil of the area supports a diversity of horticulture which can be enjoyed on nature walks as well as by visiting the local Botanic Gardens. The bounty of many Tamborine Mountain residents’ gardens is also on display at several roadside stalls that abound with kiwi fruit, rhubarb, avocados and macadamia nuts quaintly displayed around an ‘Honesty Box’.

This small plateau also thrives with animal and bird life. Platypus, green tree frogs, scrub turkeys, wallabies and of course koalas form part of the Mountain’s varied range of wildlife and in the morning, the calls of lorikeets, kookaburras and lyrebirds can be heard.

The state of Queensland is known as Australia’s Sunshine State and on Tamborine Mountain, you can enjoy abundant sunshine year-round but without the heat and humidity that the more northerly parts of Queensland often endure.

The surfing beaches, shopping malls, theme parks (including Warner Brothers and Sea World) plus many other Gold Coast attractions are a comfortable 40-minute drive from Mount Tamborine while Brisbane is one hour away, making the Mountain the ideal ‘base-camp’ location from which to explore south-east Queensland.

The nearest international airport is Brisbane, however national travellers often land at Coolangatta (Gold Coast) airport, a mere 45-minute drive from Tamborine Mountain.

Whether you are parents-to-be seeking a tranquil Babymoon destination, a newly engaged couple looking for that perfect Honeymoon location or if you are simply looking for the best Tambourine accomodation you will delight in the serene privacy of Mount Tamborine’s Witches Falls Cottages.

Witches Falls Cottages offer an idyllic retreat to nature and consist of private cottages tucked away along rainforest pathways in one of Tamborine Mountain’s and perhaps even Australia’s most secluded and peaceful locations.

Weekend City Breaks in Plymouth and Visitor Attractions to See

Wander — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:46:38 +0000

Vacations in the UK seem to be incredibly popular this year, most likely due to the the current economy and the low value of the pound. England has many top tourist destinations including London (the English capital) and other fascinating cities plus a collection of seaside resorts such as; Blackpool, Eastbourne, Bognor Regis and Clacton-on-Sea. One seaside town often overlooked is Plymouth in the south of England.

At first glance Plymouth appears rather plain and principally modern, but searching a little bit deeper and you will very quickly discover that the city has a rich history and a deep association with the sea. As far back as the fifteen hundreds Plymouth has been an important port. In fifteen eighty eight Francis Drake set sail from the port to successfully defend the English by defeating the Spanish Armada. A further moment in history occurred in sixteen twenty when port witnessed the embarkation of the Pilgrim Fathers.

It is possible to take cheap Plymouth vacations by booking bed and breakfast in Plymouth rather than booking rooms in a expensive hotel. A quick search on Yahoo will show that rooms are available from as little as £29 a night and many guest houses offer dinners at a very reasonable rate, commonly equal to, or less costly than local restaurants.

Tourist Attractions In Plymouth

There are numerous places to visit in Plymouth. Popular tourist attractions include; Smeaton’s Tower and Plymouth Dome, the Royal Citadel, the National Marine Aquarium and Merchant’s House Museum. A boat cruise around the port is an interesting way to spend some time and if you discover that you have more time to spare why not take a trip to other places near to Plymouth, for example; Mount Edgcumbe, Buckland Abbey or Saltram House.

Saltram House is a fine Tudor Mansion which is situated two miles from the town of Plymouth, Mount Edgcumbe is another fine example of a Tudor house with landscaped gardens, coastal paths and parklands, and Buckland Abbey, about six miles from Plymouth, is a Cistercian abbey which was once owned by Sir Francis Drake and was later converted into a family home.

If you and your family are currently deciding upon spending some time in the city of Plymouth it is vital that you book your room at the earliest moment because, sadly Plymouth guest houses and hotels tend to be surprisingly busy and are commonly fully booked for a long period in advance. If your family is large you may find that apartments in Plymouth prove to be cheap option to bed and breakfast in Plymouth. If you are visiting the UK from abroad then you should consider making a reservation for a room in hotels in London to take in the attractions of the capital city of England too.

5 Best Packages For A Disney World Vacation

Wander — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:20:49 +0000

For Walt Disney World fans, Disney has been putting together some really fantastic vacation packages to give your family the true Disney experience. This is the best time to go since these packages are much more affordable than in the past.

Disney each year creates packages to suite every budget. For example, the “Magic Your Way Vacation Package” they developed one year was the most affordable and included accommodations at the Disney Resort! The Magic Your Way Base Ticket granted entrance to one theme park per day and could be upgradeable to a park hopper ticket.

Booking online will normally get you a Disney Photopass as a bonus! A Disney Photopass will have a professional photographer snap a 5 x 7 photo of you and your fellow vacationers, that you get to take home and enjoy. Other goodies that you can qualify for by purchasing online rather than over the phone or in person, include a meal voucher for an entree and non-alcoholic beverage from a select menu for Planet Hollywood Dining and Merchandise. Planet Hollywood Dining usually includes a magician walking around performing magic tricks.

By upgrading your vacation package it will add a dining meal plan to your park tickets and lodging. At participating Walt Disney World restaurants you will receive one table service meal with an appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage! Or at Walt Disney World restaurants that don’t have table service, you would receive one counter service meal with entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage, and one snack. One of the kid-friendly restaurants at Disney World is found right next to the Houdini Magic Shop and caters to kids of all ages.

Disney’s Magic Your Way Premium Package is the fancier, deluxe package aimed at entertaining the entire family with just about everything included: hotel accommodations, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and unlimited access to golf, miniature golf, water sports and other recreations. On top of these standard aspects of the package, Disney will also throw in tickets to a limited play show like Cirque du Soleil. Any children from four to twelve years old in your group can also enjoy the Disney Children Activity Center.

The most grandeous package of all is Walt Disney’s Magic Your Way Platinum Package.On top of the benefits of the previous package which included hotel stay, breakfast, lunch, dinner, recreation, and a bonus ticket to a special event, you also receive a spa treatment, private golf lessons, a reserved seat to the exciting magic tricks fireworks show Fantasmic! unlimited childcare in the Child Activity Centers, a ride on the Fireworks Cruise, itinerary planning services, in-room child care, the Platinum Plan keepsake, and turndown service. For the right family, this package could be considered the most deluxe family vacation available.

Looking to make your way to Walt Disney World with a large group of people?Then you’re looking for Grand Gatherings, which offers exclusive bonuses for large groups that small groups simply can not take part in like the International Dinner and Illuminations Desert Reception, Safari Celebration Dinner, Good Morning Gathering, and Magical Fireworks Voyage.

All in all, an important thing to know is that standard full-price Disney vacation packages are convenient, but Disney never really offers bargain prices. For the best deal, Disney World packages should be purchased through Walt Disney Travel Company.

Toronto Hotel Rooms

Wander — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:24:13 +0000

Toronto is one of the large and diverse cities of the world. In this large city there is no lacking of hotels in the downtown area. Niagara Falls Ontario hotels have also earned a reputation for being among the most exclusive and cost-effective in all of North America. With festivals and events happening round the year, Toronto downtown hotels provide their guests with top-notch accommodation and services.

Toronto downtown hotels are lavishly comfortable. Hotels in downtown Toronto feature a wide variety of facilities and services, from spas and golf packages, restaurants, lounges, shops, business centers and fitness centers. The moment you step into a Toronto downtown hotel you enter a world of pleasure where commitment to service and personal attention surpass all expectations. That is what many reviews of downtown Toronto hotels posted online by travelers have to say. Toronto hotels pamper their guests with conveniences that make vacationing easy in Toronto.

Visiting Toronto Canada is a lot easier if you know where the tourist sites are and book a room at Toronto hotel with a convenient location. There are hotels in downtown Toronto, close to the major tourist attractions such as the Rogers Centre SkyDome, Toronto Harbourfront, Toronto Zoo, Royal Ontario Museum, Air Canada Centre, Princess of Wales Theatre, Royal Alexandra Theatre, Eaton Centre Shopping Mall, and Nathan Philips Square. You might well be visiting all of these attractions if you have the time. Some Toronto hotels are ideally located in the middle of Toronto’s entertainment and tourist district, makes it easy to walk or take the subway system to travel around quickly. If you’re thinking of relying on a car, you should know Toronto’s roads are congested and peak times bring traffic to a crawl.

With the low Canadian dollar, Toronto may be a good vacation bargain for American tourists. Search for Toronto motels on your favorite search engine and find the motels that suits your budget and is close to the right tourist spots you intend to visit.

Tampa Fun in the Sun

Wander — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:51:08 +0000

Tampa is found on the west coast of Florida. Tampa is a large city with many businesses, but also has many tourist attractions and beaches.
The attractions in Tampa include Busch Gardens Africa. With so much to see and do here you will want to research Tampa hotel rooms in advance.

Also worth a visit in Tampa are the Florida Aquarium, Dinosaur World, the Weeki Wachee Springs. The Raymond James Stadium is host to major professional football games and is the host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Florida has lots of shopping centers, and restaurants, bars and a lively nightlife. Much of city life is centered around the downtown area, which contains the Port of Tampa and the Waterfront district. With two universities, many entertainment venues and the outstanding Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Tampa has earned itself a reputation for being Florida’s cultural center. You may wish to consider Tampa extended stay hotels to get the best savings for your vacation dollars. For budget minded travelers you may want to look intoTampa hotel packages for your stay in the city.

You will come to Tampa, Florida from the international airport or you can access the city by using Interstate 4 or Interstate 75. No matter how you get there, Tampa, Florida is an exciting bustling city that not only has the amenities of the urban metropolis, but also the nice subtleties of a Florida beach town.

The city has many exceptional attractions, it comes as no surprise that Tampa offers an array of hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and affordable accommodations. Some of the most popular hotels in the city can be found in the heart of the downtown district, close to facilities such as shops and restaurants. The waterfront Tampa hotel rooms have really great views and are extremely desirable properties. Looking for discount rates? Try the weekend and summer, rates are usually reduced and this is a good time to find discounts. You may wish to consult some hotel reviews when planning your next trip. Research Tampa hotels and book early for best selections.

Staying In The Outer Hebrides Of Scotland

Wander — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:17:19 +0000

The Hebrides are a group of more than 400 islands found just off the Scottish north west coast. The islands of the Inner & Outer Hebrides have been inhabited since the Mesolithic times and throughout their history the way of life and culture has been strongly influenced by numerous races and today the culture of the Hebrideans is a mix of English, Scottish, Celtic and Norse influences. The majority of folk speak in the Gaelic language and though some speak English, it is commonly their second language. In the past visits to the Inner and Outer Hebrides were only for those with plenty of money and those folk who could afford plenty of time. These days it is far to travel to the Inner and Outer Hebrides, you can travel by car and ferry or take a flight to various airports on the islands. Sadly it is impossible to get all of the way by rail although you can travel to the coast and then catch a bus for the remainder of the journey. Often the only hiccup that can occur is arranging accommodation especially if you are looking for group accommodation on the Isle of Harris which is often fully booked up.

One of the most common reasons for visiting the Hebrides is that the the landscape and the culture of the Isles are dramatically unique. On the Isle of Harris you will find some of the most stunning golden sandy beaches in the whole of Scotland, and many folk believe the whole of Britain. Here and there you will find a standing stone on the Isle of Harris but it is on the adjoining Isle of Lewis that you will see the most astounding stone circle at Callanish not a huge distance from the town of Stornoway the main town in the Outer Hebrides. The Callanish stone circle is said to be second only to Stonehenge in England.

Deciding which island, Harris or Lewis, to stay on is a truly difficult decision and increasing numbers of people are choosing to spend some time on each. B&B accommodation on Lewis is commonly more readily available than Isle of Harris accommodation, so you should try to book as early as possible.

Bed and breakfast in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis is is not too much of a problem to find but again to be safe book in advance. All accommodation in the Outer Hebrides/Western Isles is of a very high standard and the hospitality is the best you are likely to witness and the local people friendly and helpful.

Besides the Isles of Lewis and Harris there are several other inhabited islands that are easy to visit. The most commonly visited are the Uists, Benbecula and Barra and you will find a ferry which runs from Harris to North Uist at Leverburgh.

Playa Del Carmen for Singles

Wander — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:22:07 +0000

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico is found in the State of Yucatan. It is just one of those unforgettable spots that you can only understand it if you’ve been there. Size doesn’t dictate influence in Colima’s case. It is the third smallest, but plays a big part in Mexico’s GNP. It’s not to big, and it’s not too small. The weather is perfect year round. It’s not too busy and yet has most everything. In short, it’s been a wonderful place to live while the rest of Mexico sells out for tourists. Playa has 1/20th the capacity that Cancun has for tourists for example.

The average temperature is eithty degrees for this state. It gets similar weather to Hawaii due to it being on the same latitude. Really it is the most comfortable weather on the coast, cooler than Acapulco, and less humid than Puerto Vallarta. The party scene in Playa Del Carmen is among the most exciting, the restaurants are great, plenty of beautiful beaches to play on for your children, and the night clubs are hopping, if you go for that.

Most of the visitors to Playa Del Carmen are from Canada. Playa Del Carmen is a land where you can see Canadians and Americans walking hand in hand, like natures best friends. Nicknamed the ‘anti-PV,’ Manzanillo strives for peaceful tranquility, and it shows. You can develop real relationships here as you go to the same neighborhood restuarants and are remembered. You feel like you did your part as they are honestly happy to have you come to their establishment. Many wish Playa Del Carmen would stay a buried treasure. A feeling which is a shared desire of the locals, who, it is reported, have for many years been reluctant to accept federal funds targeted at developing tourism in the area. Playa Del Carmen remains true to it’s roots.

An awesome way to save money with your family is to try the all inclusive resorts and spas. You can check your worries at the door, these places are designed to be havens of peace. All inclusive means all inclusive, even the tips are included, so you don’t have to stress about anything. Go on a affordable Playa Del Carmen Vacation today!

It is one of a kind, it is not overpriced, and it is convenient don’t miss out!

Holiday Travel to Asia

Wander — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 10:33:18 +0000

Medan Sumatera Utara

Asia occupies a quarter of the earth’s land mass, it spans a lot of time zones. Having a single travel guide for all of Asia is virtually impossible. Asia like any other continent, has its certain hot spots, here are basic travel tips for a few of the most happening countries in Asia.

Vietnam

The country’s recommended tourist places are Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, they are both modernized. All tourists in Vietnam, except Thai and Philippine Nationals need a tourist Visa before entering the Country. Health wise, Malaria is common in Vietnam, it would be advisable to bring along with you anti-mosquito lotions to prevent being bit.

Thailand

Thai people are very religious and very loyal to the monarchy. You would often see pictures of the king around the cities, never make fun of him. The Thais consider the head as the highest part of the body, whether spiritual or physical. Try not to touch anyone in the head, and not to point at anything with your foot.

One should consider buying Jewelery in Thailand as Thailand produces one of the finest jewelry in the world at very competitive prices.

Malaysia

It’s advisable to bring light and cool clothing in Malaysia. You would usually find food stalls in the cities selling the local food, “teh tarik” a creamed tea, and “roti canai” a type of pancake, are a must try when see them. Malaysia has many religions, you will surely see, a variety of Christian churches, Muslim Mosques and even Buddhist and Hindu temples in the city.

Philippines

The Philippine has over 7,107 islands and islets; beaches are the main tourist spots in this country. There are many museums and Historical Landmarks in Manila, the country’s capital.Boracay Island is the pride of the country which has nice white sand beaches. You’ll find a “tiangge”, which is a sort of bazaar with stalls that sell almost anything, in most parts of the country, even inside shopping centers. Tiagges are a favorite places to find souvenirs as well as cheap goods.

Indonesia

Aside from the usual prohibition of narcotics and deadly weapons, Radio cassette Players are banned in the Island of Bali, which is a prime tourist spot in Indonesia. Objects with Chinese writings were prohibited in Bali. ( This has now been changed since 2000 ) Consider traveling to Danau Toba Indonesia , the largest crater lake in the world in Medan North Sumatra Indonesia. It has the most breathaking view for a natural lake.

To learn more about Medan Hotels visit www.MedanKu.com to download Medan city guide, budget travel guide and see more pictures and videos of Medan Indonesia.

General Travelling Tips

Each country in Asia has its own currency, although most hotels will accept dollars, retailers may not. It is advisable to have your money changed at the local bank. Some hotels may also offer foreign money exchange, but often at uncompetitive rates.

Pickpockets are present in most tourist areas, so be careful with your belongings. Separate money from checks and credit cards, have two sets if possible so that you won’t be left helpless if you are being pickpocketed.

For more information and travel tips visit www.VacationSpotsIdeas.com